Fresh experiences, uncharted destinations – every trip is a new adventure. Of all the travel options, cycling lets you soak it all in deeper, making richer memories that will last a lifetime. After all, each amazing view starts right at your feet, and every pedal stroke connects you intimately with your surroundings.

In our Cycling Voyager series, ensage invites you to see the world by bike, taking in the sights through a unique perspective. We can’t wait to hit the road together, cruising at a pace that truly immerses you in the local flavors and cultures. Get ready to experience it all on two wheels with ensage!

For our first voyage, let’s ride the wind and waves to the Penghu Islands!

D1 Cruising to Penghu, Biking the Romantic Cultural Trail

■ Transportation: High-speed rail → Budai Harbor → Ferry → Magong Harbor, Penghu
■ Cycling Distance: 16KM
■ Itinerary: Nanhai Visitor Center → Fish Market → Zushiye Temple → Penghu Living Museum → Guanyin Pavilion → Xiwei → Duxingshi Village→ Juguang New Village → Penghu Tianhou Temple → Fisherman’s Wharf

With this year’s Penghu International Fireworks Festival featuring the anime “One Piece” theme, we chose to journey by sea instead of air to better immerse ourselves in the seafaring spirit. (Ｈonestly, the plane tickets were just too hard to get). To make our journey smoother, we would be renting bicycles from local vendors upon arrival.

On the first day, we will start with a warm-up ride weaving through the alleyways and lanes within Magong City. This will allow us to visit the historic temples and heritage sites while familiarizing ourselves within this lively area where we’ll be staying for the next four days.

Recommended Landmarks

■ Fisherman’s Wharf:

Located in Magong City, Penghu County, Fisherman’s Wharf has transformed from a traditional small fishing port into a multifunctional tourist and leisure harbor. Here, you’ll find five big beautifully painted oil tanks, proudly displaying the greeting “HI! PENGHU.”

■ Guanyin Pavilion:

Built in 1696, Guanyin Pavilion is a Grade 3 historical site dedicated to the South Sea Guanyin Bodhisattva. Constructed using local Penghu materials such as coral stone and basalt, the pavilion is surrounded by a well-planned waterside recreational area. The nearby beach boasts clear waters and shallow areas, making it a popular spot for morning swims among locals and an ideal practice area for those wanting to try sea swimming. Additionally, this location serves as the main venue for the Fireworks Festival.

■ Mazu Statue:

Despite the controversies you might find online when searching for the “Penghu Mazu Statue,” none can replace Her symbolic role as the guardian deity of the seas, providing this island a sense of safety and direction. Standing at a towering 66 meters, equivalent to about 22 stories, this statue is claimed to be the tallest Mazu statue in the world, even surpassing the heights of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Its imposing presence can be seen from virtually any angle, offering a sense of safety and guidance to the island.

D2 Roaming Classic Towns in Huxi and listening to the Waves at Fenggui Peninsula

■ Cycling Distance: 55KM
■ Itinerary: Penghu Visitor Center→隘門沙灘Aimen Beach → Lintou Park (Midday Break) → Longmen Pier → Longmen Lizhengjiao → Longmen Coastal Park → Guoye Lime Kiln → Guoye Sunrise Building → Exploring Farming and Fishing Villages – Experiencing Nanliao and Beiliao

■ Main Routes: County Route 202, County Route 204 (Chaoyang to Longmen), County Route 201 (Xingren to Fenggui)

On the second day, we will ride along the three main southern routes of Penghu as mentioned by our guide. This route will allow us to delve into Penghu’s history, observe its diverse geological features, explore ancient fishing villages, stroll along golden beaches, and climb the Fenggui Peninsula.

Recommended Landmarks

■ Pigsty Cafe:

Located in Chenggong Village, the original pigsties, abandoned in recent years, have been successfully transformed through community efforts into a café with a unique local character. The preserved pigsties and red-tiled houses, complemented by green lawns, now create a picturesque and leisurely rural scene.

■ Kuibishan Geopark (Moses Parting the Sea):

Located on the northern shore of Beiliao Village in Huxi Township, Kuibishan Geopark is famous for its unique natural phenomenon. In the distance, there is a volcanic rock islet called Chiyu, which connects to the Penghu mainland via a tombolo. During high tide, the path is submerged under the sea, but at low tide, a 300-meter-long gravel path emerges, resembling the biblical scene of Moses parting the sea.

■ Lintou Park:

Lintou Park is a coastal park featuring the longest beach in Penghu (including both Lintou and Aimenn). The water is clear and the fine sand is perfect for water activities. This beach also served as the starting point for the swimming segment of the IRONMAN Penghu Triathlon in the past.

■ Shetoushan:

Located on the southwestern edge of the island, Shetou Mountain is a small peninsula jutting out from the northern end of Fengguiwei. Its name, meaning “Snake Head Mountain,” comes from its snake-like appearance when viewed from above. Positioned on elevated terrain, cycling along its winding roads offers breathtaking views of the expansive sea.

■ Fenggui Peninsula:

Fenggui Peninsula gained fame from Hou Hsiao-hsien’s film “The Boys from Fengkuei.” The coastline is made up of columnar basalt formations, which have been eroded by the waves over many years, creating narrow sea trenches and sea caves. When the waves crash into these caves, they produce a thunderous roar, giving rise to the phrase “listening to the waves at Fenggui.”

D3 Pushed by wind, Across the Sea to Fisherman Island in Xiyu

■ Cycling Distance: 80KM
■ Itinerary: Dongwei Stone Carving Park → Zhongtun Windmill Power Park → Tongliang Great Banyan → Penghu Great Bridge → Xiaomen Whale Cave (Midday Break) → East Fort Military Historic Park → Daguoye Columnar Basalt → Erkan Ancient Residences → Yuwengdao Lighthouse → Magong City
■ Main Routes: County Route 203 (Magong to Waian)

Penghu may seem small, but a round trip from Magong City to Fisherman Island (Xiyu) is over 80 kilometers. The main thoroughfare, County Route 203, is the longest road in Penghu’s county highway system. Along this route are several must-visit landmarks, including the Penghu Great Bridge, Daguoye Columnar Basalt, and the Yuwengdao Lighthouse on Fisherman Island.

Recommended Landmarks

■ Zhongtun Windmill Power Park:

The name comes from the formation of a tombolo between the main island and Baisha Island. With the construction of Yongan Bridge, Zhongzheng Bridge, and the Penghu Great Bridge, Magong, Huxi, Baisha, and Xiyu are now connected. The eight giant wind turbines situated along this route are among Penghu’s most prominent landmarks.

■ Houliao Paradise Road:

At the end of the beach in Baisha Township lies the abandoned pier of Donggang Old Harbor in Houliao Village. Stretching out towards the sea, it looks like a road to heaven, leading to the vast ocean and clear sky, making it a popular spot for photography. However, we believe that the true “road to heaven” is the winding path surrounded by windbreak forests that you pass through on the way to this destination.

■ Yuwengdao Lighthouse:

Also known as the Xiyu Lighthouse, it is located at the Yizaiwei Cape in Waian Village, Xiyu Township. The lighthouse is not only a famous maritime landmark and navigational aid for ships but also a national historic site. From the lighthouse, visitors can enjoy breathtaking sea views, observe the famous “Xiliu” rapid currents, and explore the vast Waian Grasslands. It is an excellent place to delve into the history of maritime navigation and appreciate the beauty of nature.

■Waian Fishing Harbor:

After visiting the lighthouse, make sure to detour to Waian Fishing Harbor. It is one of Penghu’s most prosperous fishing areas, renowned for its splendid houses and exotic ambiance. From the Sanxiantai viewpoint to the southwest, you can capture vistas reminiscent of  Mediterranean Greece. The harbor is bordered to the north by the Neian Highlands, providing a natural barrier that minimizes the impact of the northeast monsoon, making it ideal for fishing. It is home to the largest number of fishing boats in Penghu.

■ Daguoye Columnar Basalt:

Originally buried underground, these basalt columns were accidentally discovered during the development of a pier at Daguoye Beach during the Japanese colonial period. The local basalt was formed by the cooling and contraction of underwater lava, resulting in five and six sided columns. Over time, erosion by the sea wind has sculpted them into their current magnificent appearance.

■ Penghu Great Bridge:

The iconic bridge connecting Baisha and Xiyu Islands spans 2,494 meters across the turbulent Houmen Channel. Cycling across the bridge offers stunning, unobstructed views of the vast sea and the soothing sound of the waves. However, with no tall barriers on either side, riding can be challenging when strong seasonal winds blow.

It’s currently the 2024 Penghu International Fireworks Festival, so grab your bike and join the festivities!
■ Event dates:
2024/5/02~2024/6/30 (Every Monday and Thursday)
2024/7/01~2024/7/30 (Every Tuesday)
■ Location: Guanyin Pavilion, Magong City
■ Main fireworks display time：21:00

For more information on related travel package, please check out: https://www.ensage.tours/trips/3061095f-ff7c-4b4b-a630-4d73d4d34e41

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